Last in a Long Line of Rebels Read Online Free PDF

Isaac?”
    â€œNo, I don’t think it’s that simple.” Daddy let out a long breath. “I’ve known Coach Peeler since I was in high school. I wouldn’t say this about just anybody, but he had a reputation.” He stopped the truck in front of Benzer’s house.
    â€œA reputation?” I asked. “What kind of reputation?”
    Daddy’s mouth turned down at the corners. “For treating blacks differently.”
    â€œWhat?” I asked. “You mean he didn’t pick Isaac because he’s black?”
    â€œI think so,” Daddy said.
    â€œBut that’s ridiculous! Who thinks like that? It’s 1999 for crying out loud!” I said.
    â€œWow. Isn’t there anything Isaac can do?” Benzer asked. “Can’t he sue or something?”
    â€œMaybe, but it might be hard to prove, and it would cost his family a lot to fight,” Daddy said. “I’ll have a talk with Isaac and see what he’s thinking. I’m sure he’s disappointed, but he probably knew it was a possibility.”
    â€œThis really stinks,” I said.
    â€œI know.” Daddy fished a bill out of his wallet and handed it to Benzer.
    Benzer opened the door and jumped out. “I’ll see you later, Lou. Thanks, Mr. Mayhew.”
    I slumped down and avoided talking the rest of the ride home. Daddy pulled into our driveway and turned off the truck.
    â€œI’ll put your box in the shop. Let me know if we’re out of stain. I think that old dresser we fixed up used most of it.”
    â€œOkay. I better go help Mama get ready for tonight.”
    â€œHey, don’t forget your money,” he said.
    I stuffed the cash into my back pocket. “Thanks.”
    He put a hand on my arm. “You know I’m proud of you, right?”
    I attempted to smile. “I know.”
    Daddy leaned forward to put his wallet in his back pocket. “You’re going to make a good big sister.”
    I jumped down from the truck. The way my luck was going, Mama would have twins!

    I spent the rest of the afternoon helping Mama clean the house. Normally I would have complained, but since learning we might have to move, things seemed somehow different. Instead of thinking about how hard it was to mop the wooden floors, I noticed what a nice shade of caramel they were. In fact, I noticed all sorts of things I’d seen but never really thought about, like how the windows had counterweights attached so they’d stay up and how pretty the glass doorknobs were.
    â€œBertie and I are walking to Upchurch’s to get some snacks for tonight,” Mama said. “You want to come?”
    I shook my head. “You guys go ahead. I’m beat.”
    I watched them from the parlor window until they were two blocks away, then I went over to the bookshelf and pulled out the Bible.
    The hole I’d torn in the cover stared at me like an accusing eye. I flipped the pages until I found the same picture of baby Jesus, and put my hand across it. “God, sorry about that last prayer. Can we just say never mind? I’ll still go to church and all, but if you wanted to just forget the excitement part, that’d be great. Amen.”
    I opened my eyes. Last time the wind had blown so hard the window fell, but this time, all was quiet. “Bummer.”
    I flipped through the pages absentmindedly, and they gaped open toward the back of the Bible, where a thin envelope was wedged deep inside. Across the top were the words
Confederate States of America
.
    â€œWhat the heck?” I opened the envelope and pulled out a handwritten letter. The script was spindly and hard to read, and I struggled to make sense of it.
    March 12, 1864
    Dear Louise,
    I received your kind letter a few days ago. I was glad to hear that you are fareing well despite the circumstances. Mrs. Reagan is indeed a true friend but her kindness to you is a credit to your own charm and goodness. I